Cow slaughter 'New law to provide for stringent punishment’

Haryana agriculture minister OP Dhankar on Tuesday said that the proposed legislation to curb cow slaughter in the state would not only provide for stringent punishment to offenders, but also seek to make cow products an essential part of every home.

Haryana agriculture minister OP Dhankar on Tuesday said that the proposed legislation to curb cow slaughter in the state would not only provide for stringent punishment to offenders, but also seek to make cow products an essential part of every home.

Dhankar, who is also dairying and animal husbandry minister, stated this while attending a state-level meeting held at the MDU campus here to seek suggestions and feedback on amending the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.

The minister said that the holy animal can be protected only if everyone either takes responsibility to rear a cow or pay for expenses incurred on it.

"There are three ways to protect cows: one is by rearing a cow, second by adopting a cow and paying for expenses incurred on it from birth till death and the third by regularly donating to Gaushalas,” he said while declaring to adopt a cow.

Sharing his vision for the amendment in the prohibition of cow slaughter Act, he said that the government would give 50% subsidy to entrepreneurs who want to set up dairy business based on desi cows. Similarly, for commercial dairy owners, the state government would award 25% subsidy on setting up infrastructure to sell cow products.

Highlighting the issues related to cow products, Dhankar, who is MLA from Badli constituency, said that the government would take responsibility of ensuring purity of cow-related products. He also said that the amended act would be the first legislation to be brought by the BJP government in the state.

The minister hailed the feedback and suggestions received from cow welfare organizations.

BJP state president Subash Barala, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha leader Vijaypal Singh, former chief minister Hukam Singh also spoke on the occasion and exhorted people to give utmost importance to protection and promotion of desi cows.